How to Set Up Face ID on iPhone X

Face ID lets you securely unlock your iPhone X, authenticate purchases, sign in to apps, and more—with just a glance.

Set up Face ID

Before you set up Face ID, make sure that there isn't anything covering the TrueDepth camera or your face. Face ID is designed to work with glasses and contacts. Face ID works best when your iPhone X is approximately an arm’s length or closer (10-20 inches) from your face.

To set up Face ID:

• Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. If asked, enter your passcode.
• Tap Set Up Face ID, then position your face in front of your device and tap Get Started.
• Look straight into your iPhone and place your face inside the frame.
• Gently move your head to complete the circle. If you're unable to move your head, tap Accessibility Options.
• When you finish the first Face ID scan, tap Continue.
• Gently move your head to complete the circle for a second time.
• When Face ID setup is complete, tap Done.

If you didn’t set a passcode, you’ll be asked to create one to use as an alternate way to verify your identity.

To choose features that you want to use Face ID with or reset Face ID, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode.

Need help with Face ID?

Unlock your iPhone X with Face ID

After you set up Face ID, you can use it to unlock your iPhone. Here's how:

• Raise to wake or tap to wake your iPhone X.
• Glance at your iPhone X.
• When the lock icon on your screen animates from closed to open, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to unlock.

To turn this feature on or off, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > iPhone Unlock.

Use Face ID to make purchases

You can use Face ID to authenticate purchases with Apple Pay and in the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store.

With Apple Pay

To use Face ID with Apple Pay, make sure that Apple Pay is set up on your iPhone X and turned on in Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Then follow these steps.

To make a purchase in a store:

1. To use your default card, double-click the side button. To use a different card, double-click the side button, tap your default card, then choose another card.
2. Glance at your iPhone X to authenticate with Face ID.
3. Hold the top of iPhone X near the contactless reader.
4. Wait for Done and a checkmark to display.

To make a purchase within an app or on a website in Safari:

1. When you're ready to check out, tap the Buy with Apple Pay button or choose Apple Pay as the payment method. Confirm your payment information. To choose a different card to pay with, tap > next to your card.
2. Double-click the side button, then glance at your iPhone X.
3. Wait for Done and a checkmark to display.

In the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store

To use Face ID to purchase content from the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and make sure that iTunes & App Store is turned on. Then follow these steps:

1. Open the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store, then tap something that you want to buy.
2. When prompted to pay, double-click the side button, then glance at your iPhone X.
3. Wait for Done and a checkmark to display.

You might be asked to enter your Apple ID password for the first purchase you make in the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store.

Sign in with Face ID

You can use Face ID to sign in to certain apps and autofill usernames and passwords for websites in Safari.

Sign in to apps

You can use Face ID to sign in to apps that support signing in with Touch ID. Here's how:

1. Open the app and tap sign in.
2. If asked, allow the app to use your username or password.
3. Glance at your iPhone X to sign in.

To see and control which apps use Face ID to sign in, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and tap Other Apps.

If you’re using an app that supports Face ID but aren’t prompted to use Face ID to sign in, then you might need to manually sign in to the app first.

Autofill passwords in Safari

You can use Face ID to autofill saved usernames and passwords for websites in Safari. Just go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and turn on Safari AutoFill. Then follow these steps:

1. Open Safari and go to a website.
2. Tap the sign in field. If you see your username or password appear above the keyboard, tap it.
3. Glance at your iPhone X to autofill your username and password.